Shama Yisrael

Shama Yisrael
CountryUnited States
Born2004 (age 20–21)
Miami, Florida
Peak rating1966 (December 2024)

Shama Yisrael is an American chess player.

Chess career

She began playing chess in 2014 and developed her skills at a local library. She is coached by Otis Wilson and is a member of the 954 Chess Club, based in Coral Springs, Florida.[1]

In March 2022, she was the No. 7 rated 18-year-old girl in the USCF rankings.[2]

In April 2022, Yisrael (rated 1695 FIDE) scored a win against Makaio Krienke (who was rated 2131 FIDE) in a game that lasted 32 moves at the Space Coast Open Chess Festival in Melbourne, Florida.[3]

In June 2024, she held grandmaster Aleksa Striković to a draw in the 11th Summer Solstice Open held in Boca Raton, Florida.[4]

In July 2024, she became the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of National Master after surpassing a USCF rating of 2200 by defeating Frank Castillo in the Pinecrest Independence Open.[5] She was followed in this achievement one month later by Jessica Hyatt.[6]

References

  1. ^ Marshall, Mario (July 19, 2024). "Shama Yisrael".
  2. ^ Shabazz, Daaim (July 20, 2024). "The story of Shama Yisrael, the first female African-American Chess Master".
  3. ^ Rodgers, Jack (July 18, 2024). "Yisrael Becomes 1st Female, African-American National Master In U.S."
  4. ^ "Round 2".
  5. ^ Adeyinka, Adeola. "First Female African-American National Master- Shama Yisrael".
  6. ^ Shabazz, Daaim (August 6, 2024). "Jessica Hyatt earns National Master title!".